[Trombone-l] Logic?

[Charles DePaolo]

Chris, 

What you have discovered online is a combination of old prices, closeout
prices, illegal under-Map prices and just plain old wrong prices.
Here's how these horns should stack up:

50B or 50BO - 2779.00
50B2 or 50B2O - 3249.00 (adds $470)
50B3 or 50B3O - 3829.00 (adds $1050)

50T - 3799.00 ($1000 more than 50B)
50T3 - 5779.00 ($1950 more than 50B3)

If someone is selling a 50T for 2799, then they are either crazy or they
have a very old horn sitting around. A price point of 2799 is well under
even the best wholesale dealer price. Take my word for it. I'm looking
at my 2009 Conn-Selmer Confidential Price list and a 50T for 2779 is a
bargain.

Why the huge difference between the single valve and double valve
models?  I can't say with any absolute accuracy, but knowing what I know
about this business, I'd lay it on the following:

1. The additional manufacturing labor (mostly) and materials involved in
building the 2nd wrap.
2. In the case of the Thayers, the assembled valve has a high cost of
its own (ballpark $1000 each), before it's ever installed into the horn.
They're outsourced from another US factory without the wrap.
3. The simple fact that there is a MUCH greater market demand for inline
double valve horns. I'm thinking the single and dependant double valve
horns are kept in the line almost as a courtesy. Another way to look at
it: How many folks do you know actively seeking a new 50B2?  I sell Bach
basses and I've personally had maybe one call in the past 10 years for a
50B2, and none for a single valve 50B/T. B3O's and T3's I discuss all
the time. My guess is whatever additional profit margin there may be (if
any) on the double horns helps subsidize the others. 

Just my semi-educated guess.

--Chuck




-----Original Message-----
From: trombone-l-bounces at samford.edu
[mailto:trombone-l-bounces at samford.edu] On Behalf Of Chris Waage
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 10:46 AM
To: Trombone-L
Subject: [Trombone-l] Logic?

I realize that retail instrument pricing really has no logic - it's
market- driven, but while checking out some new Bach bass trombones, I
noticed a very interesting, or perhaps bizzarre would be better, price
difference.

(all these are from a major online retailer) Bach 50B:  $2799 Bach 50BO:
$2779 Bach 50B2:  $3249 Bach 50B2O:  $3249 Bach 50B3:  $3829 Bach 50B3O:
$3829

Essentially, adding a second rotor to a stock Bach 50B adds about $1000
to $1500.

Bach 50T:  $2799 - hmmm.  Same price as a 50B, but a single open-wrap
Thayer!

Bach 50T3:  $5779 - YIKES.  Almost $3,000 to add a second Thayer????

Seems that if the 50B and 50T cost the same, shouldn't adding a second
Thayer only jump the price $1000 to $1500?

Ah, well.

I guess if I had the $5800, I wouldn't be griping.


--
Chris Waage, Bass Trombonist
chris.waage at gmail.com


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